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Togglesummary flatulence
Flatulence or abdominal swelling are terms used to designate the large accumulation of gas in the stomach or intestine. This buildup of gas is normally expelled through the mouth or anus. Diet plays an important role in the overproduction of intestinal gas. People with diets rich in foods like beans, cabbage, and dairy products are more likely to produce more gas. Other important causes are constipation and pregnancy.
Symptoms are easy to detect and are characterized by swelling and pain in the abdominal region. Diagnosis is usually made by interviewing the patient. If necessary, the doctor may request additional tests, such as an abdominal ultrasound.
Flatulence usually passes after a few hours and does not cause serious complications. However, in some cases, excess gas can cause distension of the large, small and stomach intestines.
Treatments are usually based on dimethicone, activated charcoal (to absorb gases) and antacids.
Medicinal plants such as fennel , fennel and angelica can be used to improve symptoms. For treatment and prevention it is recommended to have a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and greens, avoid soft drinks and fats and always take a walk after meals.
Definition
Bloating or flatulence are terms used to designate the production of gas in the gastrointestinal tract and its accumulation in the stomach or intestine. The gas produced can be expelled or escape involuntarily through two openings: the mouth and the anus. The gastrointestinal tract does not adequately absorb gases and air, so almost all of the gas content must come out through the mouth or anus.
Etymologically, the word flatulence comes from “Inflatio” and “flatos” meaning blowing and breathing respectively.
Flatulence is produced from the fermentation of decaying matter in the body, giving rise to flatus when gases escape through the anus.
Epidemiology
The American magazine Prevention estimated in 2018 that 10 to 30% of people suffer from swelling ( bloating ) more than 25% of the time.
Every day, a person emits between 13 and 21 flatulence or farts, most often after meals.
Causes
The main causes of gas or flatulence are:
– Certain foods. Gas accumulation is typically caused by the fermentation of foods such as plant fiber. The digestion of food requires the action of bacteria in the intestine. These turn food into gases. Nitrogen rich foods such as beans or cabbage and all starches are known to cause gas. In addition to beans, sweet foods, fiber and dairy produce more gas.
– Some people also suffer from lactase deficiency ( lactose intolerance ) which does not allow them to digest lactose. This causes fermentation in the intestine with gas production and inevitably leading to bloating. Diarrhea can occur in some cases.
– Constipation (constipation) is also one of the main causes of flatulence and bloating. During constipation, there is accumulation of feces in the large intestine which increases the process of fermentation and gas production.
– Taking certain medications (eg lactulose).
– The irritable bowel syndrome .
– Smoking can lead to flatulence.
– Aerophagia can also cause flatulence and bloating due to the large amount of air ingested when eating or drinking.
– Anxiety and stress (sources of flatulence or bloating).
– Bloating and flatulence are common ailments that strike women during pregnancy.
– An abdominal tumour.
– Water retention due to premenstrual disorders.
– Women are particularly affected by the unpleasant odors of these flatulence (farts), often stronger than men, due to the higher concentration of hydrogen sulphide (molecule that causes the unpleasant odor).
Large Intestine and Bad Odors:
– Gas production, leading precisely to flatulence or bloating, usually occurs in the large intestine (colon). The numerous bacteria present in this final part of the intestine cause certain foods to ferment, resulting in the production of gas. When these gases mix with certain molecules (sulfides that come from garlic, cabbage or preservatives found, for example, in chips, bread, beer or wine) from food remains, a bad odor emerges when they escape through the anus. Bacterial gas is, for the most part, odorless, so it is only when this gas mixes with sulfides or derivatives that a bad odor is released.
Read: 5 foods that can cause flatulence
Symptoms
The feeling of abdominal bloating begins about three hours after eating. Leakage of gas often occurs five hours after the meal, and the phenomenon stops after about seven hours.
Intestinal flatulence manifests itself at the level of the digestive system. This discomfort is sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain due to the accumulation of gas. Once expelled, these gases cause an unpleasant smell.
In cases of aerophagia, a person can accumulate a large volume of gas in their stomach causing flatulence and stomach pain.
Bad odor
Women are particularly affected, according to the American magazine Prevention , the odor of women’s flatulence is often stronger than that of men, due to a higher concentration of hydrogen sulfide (the molecule that causes the unpleasant odor).
Diagnosis
To diagnose flatulence, the doctor performs a physical examination, usually preceded by an interrogation. Questionnaires are mainly used to obtain as much information as possible about your patient’s history: if you have undergone any intervention, gynecological diseases (women), etc. Checking the state of the abdomen is done by palpation, which can be followed by digital rectal examination if necessary.
If there are still doubts, the doctor may order a blood test and an abdominal ultrasound. In complex and rare cases, deeper bowel x-rays or a CT scan may be required.
Complications
The bloating and flatulence usually last for a few hours. They do not usually cause complications in most cases. When the pain is particularly intense, it may be that the swelling is accompanied by other disorders, such as aerogastria (complication caused by the accumulation of gases in the stomach), aerocolia (distention of the large intestine) or distension of the small intestine.
Treatments (medications)
So far, no medical solution can finally put an end to bloating and flatulence. Drugs are used to alleviate the discomfort felt and improve well-being.
Coating the digestive tract
At the forefront are drugs that work to coat the digestive tract. They are generally made of clay, dimethicone (simethicone), and are provided with an anti-foaming property that prevents gas formation. Its combination with an antacid is also common, especially when bloating is accompanied by a burning sensation in the stomach.
Using antispasmodic medications is also common to reduce swelling and accompanying pain.
Charcoal
An old but effective solution against bloating is the use of charcoal which absorbs intestinal gas. In case of bloating, the doctor may prescribe treatment based on the use of activated charcoal.
Intestinal absorbent medicines comprise a mixture of charcoal with some other substance to relieve swelling. This category includes combinations with dimethicone and magnesium oxide.
Antacids
Antacids are also prescribed to treat bloating and flatulence problems. Among the best known drugs are magnesium hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, in association or not with dimethicone.
Galactosidase
In the United States, in particular, alpha-galactosidase (reference name: Beano) is on the market, which breaks down sugars into smaller structures, which reduces swelling.
Bismuth
In the United States, in particular, there is bismuth-subsalicylate on the market (reference name: Pepto-Bismol), this medicine can make the smell of gases less accentuated, as observed by the American magazine Prevention in January 2020.
Lactose
intolerance In lactose intolerance, which leads to swelling, the treatment of choice is a lactase-based treatment.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
When bloating is caused by irritable bowel syndrome , low-dose antidepressants can work effectively.
Herbal medicine
You can relieve flatulence with medicinal plants.
If this option interests you, be sure to seek the advice of a specialist such as a pharmacist or herbalist to determine the best solution for your problem.
The plants most used for the treatment of bloating and flatulence are: fennel , espinheira santa , star anise , fennel (you can take half a teaspoon of fennel fruit or seeds at the end of the meal, chew and swallow) and cumin . Wormwood is also sometimes used, as are rosemary and angelica .
Tips & Prevention
– Be careful when eating food is one of the best ways to prevent bloating and flatulence. According to nutritionists, it is necessary to limit any foods that can cause edema or gas in the stomach and intestines. Avoid whole milk and also harder-to-digest dairy products like cheese or yogurt. Also try to eat in small portions, for example, every 2-3 hours.
– Leave aside the consumption of soft drinks and beer. These lead to dilation of the stomach and intestine causing bloating and flatulence. After a meal, opt for herbal teas like mint or fennel over caffeinated drinks, which can make digestion difficult.
– Choose cooked fruits and vegetables. Rich in water, they facilitate intestinal transit, thus reducing fermentation, reducing swelling.
– Foods containing fructose, such as jams, chocolates, should be avoided, as well as those rich in saturated fat, such as creamy sauces, fried potatoes, etc. Fats can impede the assimilation of nutrients, making them difficult to digest. It’s also a question of limiting salt, which favors water retention.
– There is nothing easier than taking a walk after meals to avoid gas formation, reducing bloating and flatulence. To do this, take a short 15-minute walk after each meal.
– Eat slowly, it is an excellent way to promote good digestion. It also means less burping and prevents large amounts of food from reaching the intestines at once.
– Limit lactose consumption, choose low-lactose or lactose-free foods (important for people with lactose intolerance ).
– Avoid consuming chewing gums.
– Avoid smoking, a cause of flatulence.
– Manage your stress, a cause of digestive problems.
– Exercise regularly, which helps stimulate digestion. Studies have shown that people who exercise retain less gas in their intestines and feel less bloated during and after a period of moderate exercise. You can also take a walk for about fifteen minutes after each meal.
– Consume probiotics, especially those containing Lactobacillus and/or Bifidobacterium bacteria . These bacteria can reduce gas production.
– Consumption of certain minerals, such as magnesium and potassium, can help.
Magnesium can help soothe the digestive system by aiding in expelling gas and relieving constipation. Foods rich in magnesium include almonds, bananas, beans, broccoli, brown rice, egg yolks, etc. It is also possible to consume magnesium as a food supplement, if possible, 200 mg per day.
Potassium can help you feel less bloated or bloated by making fluids circulate better in the body. Potassium is found in some foods such as bananas, sweet potatoes and beans.
– Check your dentures, a bad fit can cause you to swallow too much air when eating.
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